Cabinet filing drawer



P. A. BREDSVOLD CABINET FILING DRAWER 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 qs oompoqoonoooNov. 15, 1932. P. A. BREDSVLD CABINET FILING DRAWER Filed April 25, 19514 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. l5, 1932. P, A .BREDSVQLD 1,887,882

CABINET FILING DRAWER' Filed April 25. 19:51 4 sheets-sheet I l YJO Nov.115, 1932'. P, A, QREDSVOLD 1,887,882

CABINET FILING DRAWER Filed April 25. 1931 4'Sheets-Sheet 4 'PatentedNev. 1s, 1932` UNITED STATES PATaNToFI-ics :PAUL A. nannsvoLD, orCIIICACo, ILLINOIS, AssIGNoa or CNE-HALF, 'ro

f WILLIAM I. HOY, or CHICAGo, ILLINoIs CABINET' FILING DRAWER. y

Application nl ed April 25,

The invention relates to follower plates or compressors for use'incabinet filing drawers. Such filing drawers are usually equipped with aplate or so-called follower for the purpose of maintaining the filingmaterial 1n Ia compact vertical position to prevent its buckling down orbending and also to make it easy of accesswhen it is examined orinspected. Such follower devices 'are usually adjustable to providetheproper pressurel in accordancey with' the `amount of material in thedrawer and thereby serve equally as well to compress the file contentswhen the drawer is only partially lilled as when it is filledto itsmaximum capacity. Such devices as heretofore constructed require thatthe follower plate be positioned vat a substantial distance from therear end of the drawer to provide room for its manipulation and rearward2 movement. The vacant space between the rear end-of the drawer and thefollower plate very seriously curtails the maximum available capacity oflthe drawer and as a result there is aIv substantial waste of availablecabinet and drawer space. V

,An object of the invention is to novell frmof mounting for followers ofthe kind described, by means of which the drawer ymay be substantiallyfilled with material under compression and which upon opening ofthe'drawer permitsa the file contents to spread andproject over the rearwall of the drawer whereby the space back of the open drawer isutilizedfor expansion of the file contents.

Another. object o f the invention is the provision of animprovedfollower device which operates as a compressor equally as well when thedrawer` in which it is positioned is substantially filled as when `it isonly partially filled and thereby enables practically .all oT thespacein a drawer and a cabinet to be advantageously utilizedl withoutwaste.

, A Still another object of the invention i's the provision of a cabinetfiling drawer adapted when closed to occupy a small compact space.

with the contents in closely compressed vertical position between afollower plate and the front end of the drawer and'when open provide aand more 19a1.` serial No. 532,789.

to permit the contents to` loosen and take a position permitting easyinspection.

A further object'of the invention is the provision of improved mountingmeans for av followerwhich permits the follower to move rearwardly asthe drawer is opened and causes the follower to move forwardly as thedrawer is closed.

A still further .obj ect of the invention is the provision 'of animproved mounting means 60 for a follower which permits the position ofthe follower relative' to the ends Vto be adjusted in accordance withthefile contents and causes thel follower to move longitudinally of thedrawer as it is opened and closed. 55

It isla further object of the invention to follower in any position towhich it is moved lengthwise of the drawer.

Many other objects and advantages of the construction erein shown acnddescribed will' be obviousto those (skilled in the artj 75 from thedisclosure herein given.

To this end my invention consists in the novel construction, arrangementand combination of parts herein shown and. described,

particularly pointed4 011i?- in the 80 claims. Y C

In the drawings, wherein I have illustrated the preferred embodiment ofmy invention, f

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view through a sliding drawer,equipped with the device ofmy invention, and showing the drawer inpartially open position in a cabi` net and with theiile contents partlybroken 90. awav to show parts beyond; l

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing' the drawer closed;

Fig. 3 is a view Fig. 2; l 95 Fig.v 4 is a view along the line 4 4 ofFig.

2 and drawn to a larger scale;

Fig. 5 is a view along the line 5 5 of Fig. 4; f

. Fig. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of a 100 along the lineh3`3 ofdetailed portion of the device embodying my Y invention;

Fig. 7 is a view along the line 7-7 of 5; ig; 8 is a view along the line8-8 of Fig. 2 drawn to a larger scal e Fig. 9 is a view along the line9-9 of Fig.

.2 drawn to a larger scale;

along thel line equipped with an alternative embodiment of theinvention;

Fig. 12 is a view along the line 12-12 of Fig. 11 drawn to a largerscale;

Fig. 13 is a view along the line 13-13 of Fig. 12; and

Fig. 14 is a sectional view along the line 14-14 of Fig. 11.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the numeral 2()designates the side walls of a cabinet containing file drawers equippedwith one embodiment of the invention. The open spaces in the front' ofthe cabinet, through which the drawers slide outwardly and inwardly, arebounded by channel members 21,. providing frames for the openings. Thecabinet is provided with horizontally extending partitions 22 and a rearwall 23.

The drawer shown in Figs. 1 and 2 comprises a bottom plate 26 having theusual longitudinal central trough portion 27. The walls of the drawercomprise side plates 29, a relatively low rear plate 28 and a two-plyfront wall structure 30. Triangular shaped members 37 provide a braceconnecting the front wall 30 with the relatively low side wall members29. The drawer is manually actuated from open to closed position andvice versa by means of a handle 31.v The Vdrawer is held in its closedposition by a latch member 32. The lower end of the member 32 issuitably beveled to slide over and engage the flange of the underlyingchannel member 21. The latch member 32 is disengag-ed by means of a stem33 projecting from the front wall 30 underneath the handle 31. The latchmember 32 is held in position by the stem 33 which projects through aslot 34, and by a pin 35 which projects through a slot 36. The slots 34and 36 are of suflicient length to permit the latch member 32 to beelevated to disengage the channel member 21 when it is desired to 'openthe drawer.

The tops of the side wall members 29 form channels 38, the upper edgesofwhich terminate in downwardly extending flanges 39.y A pair of members40 each having a double Z-shaped cross-section, are fastened to thevertical side wall members 20 of the cabinet and extend substantiallythe full length of the drawer space. A pair of plates 43 are channelbars 50 as best shown in Fig. 6.

positioned one on each side of the drawer in cooperative relation withthe members 40.

Each plate 43, has one edge turned down to form a flange 44 on which aremounted a plurality of stub shafts 45 each carrying a roller The lowerlhorizontal portion of the channels 38 ride upon the rollers 46 so thatthe members 40 provide tracks carrying the weight of the drawer as it isopened and closed. 'A plurality o f stub shafts 48, secured in thevertlcal portion'of the side walls 29, each provides a mounting for aroller 49. The lrollers 49 press upwardly against the horizontal portionof the member 43 to prevent binding and to permit easy movement of thedrawer. The lower edge of the member .43 forms a iange 47 limitinglateral movement of the drawer in the cabinet.

The channels 38 each provide a runway for a slidable channel shaped bar50. The bars 50 have inclined flanged edges 51 folded back uponthemselves. The middle portion 52 of each bar 50 is convex inwardly andcontains a row of apertures59 arranged in predetermined spaced-apartrelation. The forward ends of the channel bars 50 are each provided withascrew bolt or pin 42 which projects through a longitudinally extendingslot 25 formed in the forward end of the channel member 38 forming aportion of the side wall ofthe drawer as best shown in Fig. 1. Therollers 46 and 49 are so spaced and arranged as to permit the'drawers tobe opened substantially full length without binding or frictionalcontact of the pin 42 with the walls of the slot 25.

The rear ends of the channel bars 50 project beyond the rear wall 28 ofthe drawer and are connected by a member 53. The ends of the member 53are turned inwardly to form stem 'members 54 operatively engaging cupper horizontal portion of the convex inturned webs 52 of the channelbars 50 are each carried by a plurality of rollers 55. g

The rollers 55 are journalled on pins 56 projecting through the channelmembers 38 comprising the top side walls of the drawer and therebyprovide a support for the channel bars anda follower plate 57 carriedthereby. The follower plate 57 is detachably connected to the channelbars 50 by a pair of oppositely extending rods- 58. The rods 58 havetheir outer ends each normally projecting through a cylindrical member61 and into one of the apertures 59 of the adjacent channel bar 50. Theinner ends of the cylin drical members 61 have a. relatively largeflange 62 and the outer ends of thefcylindrical members compriseannularly grooved flanges 63. The follower plate 57 has a pair ofrearwardly extending stem members 64 by means of which the cylindricalmembers 6l are mounted on the follower plate. A pair of plaies 'Lpositioned one in each of the sliding channel bars 50 provide supportsfor the cylindrical members 61- and the follower plate 57 as best shownin Fig. 4. One end of the plates 72 operatively engage the groovedlianges 63 on the outer ends of the cylindrical members 61.

The follower plate 57 is adjustably mounted on the channel bars 50 inaccordance with the file contents of the drawer by moving the rods 58into and out of operative engagement with the channel bars as indicatedby the full and dotted line positions respectively of Fig. 4. Thismovement of the rods 58 is accomplished by manually actuating a lever 69mounted on a pivot 70 positioned in the middle of the follower plate.The lever 69 is operatively connected with the rods `58 by a pair ofslidably mounted bars 65. The bars 2'0 65 are supported in a pluralityof staples or socket members 66. The staples or socket members 66 arefastened to the follower plate 57 by means of rivets 67. The staplemembers 66 are so arranged that the rods 65 are easily moved or slidtherein. The outer ends of the bars are each turned back to connect'witha rivet-like stem 68 projecting from the rods 58. The inner ends of thebars 65 are connected with the lever 69 by screwbolts 71 extendingthrough elongated sockets (not shown) in the lever. Y In Fig. 3 thelever 69 is shown ina position7 corresponding to the full line positionof the rods 58 wherein therods operatively engage the channel bars 50and permit limited rearward tilting of the follower plate from itsvertical position. p By Y rotating the levers 69 in clockwise directionit is obvious that the rods 68 will be moved to their dotted lineposition and be disconnected from the convexjinturned middle portions 52of the channel members 50.

An important feature of the invention is the provision of a followermechanism which permits the drawer` to be substantially filled withmaterial in compressed position and upon expansion to spread back intothe space between the rear of the drawer and the cabinet. To illustratethis feature of the invention, the follower plate 57 is shown in Figs. land 2 in itsrearmost position in the drawer with the rods 58 inserted inthe end apertures 59 of the channel bars 50. In Fig. 1 which shows thedrawer rin open position, the ilc contents 60 are inclined rearwardlyand have been loosened by therea-rward movement Vand tilting of thefollower plate 57 on its pivotal-mounting rods'58. The rear wall 28 ofthe drawer is suiciently low to permit the follower plate 57 to projectrearwardly of the rear wall 2 8 and to occupy the space between the rearend of the drawer and the back wall 23 of the cabinet. This position ofthe device corresponds to the condition of maX- imum capacity of thedrawer and it is to be $5 noted that thefile contents as shown in Figs 1occupy a greater space than that between the front and rear walls of thedrawer.

The up er end ofthe follower plate 57 has a rearwar ly extending flange77 which adjacent to or in contact with the vertical wall 23 of thecabinet for the position of the drawer and mechanism shown in Fig. 1. In

50 forwardly in the channel members 38.I

The movement of the sliding bars 50 forwardly, relative to the drawer,completes the movement of the file contents to vertical position andthen compresses the same,.since the follower plate 5-7 is thereby movedto vertical and is advanced in the drawer. Movement of the drawer fromthe position shown in Fig. 1 to the position shown in Fig. 2 locks thedrawer in its closed position by means of the latch member 32 with thecontents compressed.

It is obvious that the device will operate -equally as well to compressthe ile contents when the drawer is only partially filled as when it iscompletely filled as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 by shifting the mounting ofthe follower plate 57 fromone pair of apertures 59 to another as isfound necessary and inl the manner already described.

The rods 58 by means of which the follower plate 57 is adjusted arenormally out of sight of the operator and difficult of access. Since therods 58 must be in alignment with the apertures 59 before inserting theends of the rods therein it is desirable to provide means whereby theoperator can easily detect when the follower plate 57 has been shiftedto a point where the rods will enter the apertures. The upper middleportion of the.' follower plate 57 is cut away to enable the oper-f atorto reach the lever 69 to disengage the rods58 when it is desired toadjust the position of the follower plate 57 relative to the front andrear walls of the drawer. The desired exact alignment of the rods 58with the apertures 59 is secured by providing a' device which takestheform of a'spring member 74 fastened to the mounting plate 72 by means ofrivets 75 as best shown in Fig. 5. The spring member 74 comprises arearwardly extending stem having an expanded middle port-ionproviding anoutwardly extending spherical protuberance 76. The spring member 74extends the full length of and overlies 'an opening 73 in the plate' 72.The protuberance 7 6 projects through the opening 73 and is positionedin alignment with the apertures 59. In shifting the follower plate 57,its mounting late 7 2 and thespring member 74 are also shiftedlongitudinally and the pressure of the memlao' ber 74 forces theprotuberance 76 into the apsertures 59.

. ing plate 72 and the spring member 74.-.` The spherical protuberance76 slides over the channel bars 50 and into the next adjacent aperture59. The operator can detect when the protuberances 76 have engaged anaperture 59 by the increased pressure required to advance the followerplate. The position of the protuberances 76 relative. to the rods 58 issuch that when the protuberances'engage the adjacent apertures 59, therods 58 are in exact. alignment with `corresponding apertures 59. Thisprocess of adjustment can be repeated as often as necessary and thefollower plate repeatedly shifted rearwardly until the rods 58 engagethe rearmost apertures 59 which position corresponds with the maximumcapacity of the drawer.

The operation of this embodiment of the invention has been described fora drawer filled with compressed material. The compressing of the-filecontents) is accomplished entirely by contact of the rearwardlyprojecting channel members 50 with the cabinet wall 23 both whenthedrawer is entirely filled and when only partially filled. In case thedrawer is only partially filled the device provides the same advantagesof compression ofthe contents when the drawer is closed and of expansionand resulting loosening of the contents in tilted rearward position aswhen it is filled.

In Figs. 11 to 14;V inclusive I have illustrated an alternative-embodiment of the invention, mounted in a drawer having a front wall30, bottom wall 26,'and latch member 32 similar to those shown for thepreferred embodiment already described. The drawer also comprisesra rearwall 80 of substantially the same height as the side walls 81.

The upper. edges of the sidel walls 81 form channels 82 having an`inturned flange 83.

' The channels 82 provide runways for channel bars 85 which are similarin construction to the channel bars 50 of the preferred embodiment. Thechannel bars 85 have an inturned middle portion 86 containing aplurality of spaced-apart longitudinally aligned slotted apertures 89.The channel bars 85 have inturned flanges 87 as best shown in Fig. `12.The channel bars 85 project rearwardly from the drawer Aand areconnected by a cross member 88. A vertical follower plate 93 Visoperatively connected with the channel bars 85 so as to be movedforwardly and rearwardly in the drawer with the corresponding movementof the channel bars 85. The fols extensions 95 t within they flanges 86of the channels 82 as best shown in Fig. 12. The positioning of theextensions 95 in the channels 82 as described serves to hold thefollower plate 93 vertical.- In order that the follower plate 93 may bemounted in the channels 82 as described each ange 83 is cut away for asubstantial length to provide a slot 90. The slots 90 are provided sothat the extensions 95 of the follower plate 93 may be inserted in thechannels 82, following which the channel bars 85 are inserted in thechannels 82 from the rear...

The channel bars 85 are supported on a plurality of rollers 91 suitablyjournalled on v stub shafts 92 mounted on the channel member 82. Theforward end of the channel bars have a pair of screw bolts 103 and104re- -spectively projecting through (a slot 105 formed in the verticalportion of the'sidewall channels 82. The length oftheslot 105 and theposition of the bolt 103 are such as to provide for the ordinaryexpansion and compression requirements. In the case of drawers ofordinary capacity this expansion is preferably about three inches. Byremoval of the screw bolt 103 the expansion can be increased if desiredby the distance represented by the spacing between the bolts 103 and104. In practice it is found that for drawers of ordinary size themaximum de` siredv expansion will be about four inches and the positionof the bolts 103 and 104 and the length of the slots 105 will bepredetermined accordingly. If the drawer is illed to capacity thefollower plate 93 may( if desired be disconnected from the channel bars85.

In the open position of the drawer as shown in Fig. 11, the filecontents 60 vwill take the inclined position shown by dotted lines.' In

closing the drawer Ifrom the position of Fig. 11 the ends of the channelbars 85 and the connecting bar 88 contact with the rear cabinet wall 23so as to advance the channel bars 85 and the follower plate 93 forwardlyrelative to the drawer, as the drawer moves rearwardly.

The follower plate 93 operatively engages .A

the channel bars 85 b v means of transversely movable rods 100. The rods100 are supported and guided by a plurality of fingers 101 which permitthe outer ends of the rods 100 to be inserted in and removed from theslotted apertures 89 in the channel bars 85. The bars 100 are movedlongitudinally by a lever 69 not shown but similar to .that shown1 inFig. 3. v-

The upper edge of the follower plate 93 has a pair of rollers 102suitably mounted thereon so that as the follower plate is advanced inthe' drawer by the contact of the detector or spring member 97 ispositioned.l

The spring members 97 are fastened to the extension members 95 by aplurality of rivets 98. The middle portion of the spring members 97provides a corrugation 99 which presses into the adjacent slottedapertures 89 as the follower plate is shifted. The position of the rods100 relative to the spring member 97 is such that when the corrugation99l engages a slotted aperture 89 the rods s 100 will be in exactalignment with anl ad- Y jacent slotted aperture 89. The engagement ofthe corrugatlons 99 with an a erture 89 is easily detected'by theoperator y reason of the increased pressure necessary to shift thefollower plate 93.

The rods 100 are then moved to insert their outer ends in the adjacentslots 89. The device therebyenables the follower plate 93 to be mountedin any one of the slotted apertures 89 and be thereby suitablypositioned to compress the file contents of the drawer accordance withthe thickness thereof.

Thus it will be seen` that I have provideda novel form of mounting forfollowers of the character described, which is movable back and forthrelative to the drawer to compress the file contents as the drawer isbeing closed 'and to permit the expansion of the contents as the draweris opened. The device further provides mea-ns for` adjusting theposltion of the follower. plate in laccordance with the le contentsjfofthe drawer and still further is adapted''for use with drawers filledwith file conteii'ts to maximum capacity with material under pressurewhen the drawer is closed, and which when the drawer is opened permits,Mthe contents t`o spread and project rearwardly over the rear wall of thedrawer thereby utilizing the space between the rear end of the opendrawer and the adjoining rear cabinet wall.

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that variousimmaterial modifications may be made in the sameA without departing fromthespirit of my invention; hence, do not wish to be understood aslimiting myself tothe exact form, construction, arrangement andcombination of parts herein shown and described or uses mentioned.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a. cabinet drawer, a pair' of longitudinally movable bars slidablymounted one in'each side wall of' the' drawer andprojecting rearwardlytherefrom into position to contact with the cabinet, a follower plateivotally mounted on and'movable lwith said ars, said contact operable toadvance the follower plate into compressive engagement with the filecontents as the drawer is moved 'from 'open to closed position.

` 2. I n a cabinet drawer, a member slidably mounted in each side walland projecting rearwardly from the drawer into position to extendingmember slidably mounted in eac side wall and projecting rearwardly fromthe drawer into position for cooperative contact with Ithe cabinet wall,a transversely extending, vertical rearwardly tiltable follower plate,and. adjustable fastening means operable to connect said plate with saidmembers at any one of a plurality asf predetermined points, saidcooperative contact of said members with the rear wall of the cabinetcausing said members to advance relative to the dawer and to carrytherewith said follower p ate.

4. In a cabinet drawer, a longitudinall extending member slidablymounted in eac side wall and projecting rearwardly from the 3. In acabinet drawer, a longitudinall f ydrawer into position for cooperativecontact).100

bers'with the rear wall of the cabinet causing Y said members to advancein the drawer an to carry therewith said follower plate when the draweris vmo'vedf fromv open to closed position and permitting rearwardmovement of the follower plate relative to the drawer as the drawerismoved from closed to open Y ppsition.

5. In cabinet drawer construction, the combination with a filing drawerso constructed that when closed its rear wall is in closely spacedparallel relation to a. wall of a cabinet in which the drawerv ismounted, of longitudinally extending members slidably mounted one ineach side wall ofthe drawer and projecting rearwardly into cooperativecontact with a cabinet Wall, said contact operating to advance themembers in the drawer as the drawer is moved to closed'position, and afollower plate mounted on and movable with said members.

6. In cabinet drawer construction .comprising a cabinet and a filingdrawer mounted therein, said drawer when-,closed having its rear Wallinclosely spaced parallel relation to a wall of the cabinet,'mechanismoperable to compress the le contents when the drawerv isclosed, saidmechanism'comprising a pair of longitudinally extending members slidably.mounted one in each side wall of the drawer, each of said membersprojecting rearwardly into position for cooperative contact with saidwall of the cabinet and operable thereby to be advanced in the drawer asthe drawer is moved to closed position, and a follower pla-te tiltablymounted on and movable with said members.

7. In cabinet drawer construction, the combination with a filing drawerhaving its rear operatively connecting said plate to said members inclose proximity to the rear wall of the drawer when the drawer isclosed, the rear wall of the drawer being relatively low andpermitting-the follower plate to move rearwardly and tilt back over therear wall a substantial amount when the drawer is opened.

Y t 8. In cabinet drawer construction, the combination with a filingdrawer having its rear wall in closely spaced relation to the rear wallof thel cabinet when the drawer is closed, of means operable to compressthe file contents when the drawer is closed, said means comprising apair of longitudinally extending members slidably mounted one in eachside wall of the drawer, each of said members projecting rearwardly intoposition for contact with the rear wall of the cabinet and operatablethereby to be advanced in the drawer as the drawer is moved to 'closedposition and to permit relative rearward movement of the members uponopening the drawer, a transversely extending vertical rearwardlytiltable follower plate, and fastening means operatively connecting saidplate to said members fin close proximity to the rear wall of the drawerwhen the /drawer .is closed, the rear wall of the drawer beingrelatively'low and permittingthe follower plate to move rearwardly andtilt back over the rear wall a' substantial amount when the drawer isopened;

9.. In a cabinet drawer, a pair of channel- A shaped members slidablymounted one on horizontal ianges ofsaid channel members A having theiredges respectively turned downwardly and upwardly in substantialalignment with the innermost portion of theconvex web portions, saidweb4 portions having a plurality of apertures arranged in alignedspaced-apart re ation, a plate cooperating with each of said channelmembers, the edges of the plate having sliding contact with said turnededges of the flanges and the middle portion of the plate beingn incontact with said convex we portion, a follower plate mounted on therear end of'said plates, a pair of laterally projecting rods mounted onsaid follower plate, means operable to move the outer ends of said rodsinto and out of the adjacent apertures of said channel members, saidslidable plates having'an opening therethrough, a spring plate mountedon each slidable plate and extending over said opening, said springplate having a protuberance projecting through said opening into slidingcontact with said convex web along the line of said apertures, saidprotuberance partially entering said apertures as the sliding plate ismoved, said protuberances and said rods being so positioned that therods are in alignment with an adjacent aperture when said.

protuberances are overlying adjacent apertures.

10. In a cabinet drawer, a transversely extending follower platetiltable from vertical to rearwardly inclined position and vice versa,means actuated by the closing of the drawer operable to move said platefrom inclined to vertical position and to advance the plate in thedrawer in said vertical position thereby compressing the file contentsof the drawer, the pressure of said iile contents against said plateoperating, upon opening of the drawer, to move said plate and meansrearwardly ofthe drawer and to ltilt said plate from vertical torearwardly inclined position.

In witness whereof I hereunto subscribe'my name this 21st day of AprilA. D., 1931.

PAUL A. BREDSVOLD.

each side wall of the drawer, the web portions of said channel membersbeing vertical and convex inwardly, the upper and lower

